The Tribune

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN judoka Xavion Johnson stood above the competition in Florida, throwing down a statement on the international judo circuit by defeating the tournament’s top seed to capture gold in the men’s under-73kg division at the Florida Pan-American Cup.

Johnson’s latest triumph adds to an impressive year for the judoka, who also claimed gold at the Tahiti Oceania Open and continues to build his résumé ahead of the Junior World Championships, where he will be looking to test himself against some of the world’s best competitors.

The road to the top of the podium in Florida saw Johnson overcome Luxembourg’s Kevin Nunes dos Santos in the semi-finals before advancing to the championship fight against American Domenico Ternullo.

Despite entering the final as the second seed against the tournament’s top seed, Johnson said rankings played little part in his approach to the match.

“I don’t pay too much attention to rankings or seedings. At the end of the day, we’re both there to compete, and once you’re on the mat, none of that really matters,” Johnson said. “My goal was to win, and that was pretty much all I was thinking about.”

He credited his preparation and ability to execute the techniques developed during training for helping him get through the competition.

“I felt pretty good throughout the competition. Going into the final, I wasn’t really thinking about anything besides winning the match. I just wanted to stay focused, do what I’ve been working on in training, and get the job done,” he said. “A lot of the techniques we had been practising came together, so I’m happy with how everything went.”

His semi-final encounter against Nunes dos Santos required a different approach, with Johnson emphasising patience and the importance of establishing control before looking for scoring opportunities.

“It was a good match. I knew I had to stay focused and be patient. I had to work for my grips, create my opportunities, and not rush anything,” he said. “Every match is different, so I just tried to adjust to what was happening and find a way to win.”

“It feels really good. I’m always happy to be able to represent The Bahamas and bring home a medal. It means a lot, especially knowing how much work goes into preparing for these competitions,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity, and all glory to God.”

His coach, Joshua White, said the latest result reflects the progress Johnson has made over the past year, particularly following his move from the under-66kg division to under-73kg.

White described the transition as a smooth one overall, despite the adjustments that come with competing against larger and physically stronger opponents.

“The transition from 66kg to 73kg has actually worked out smooth. As with anything new, there are a few growing pains, but he has made major improvements in the last year,” White said.

Johnson believes he has become increasingly comfortable in the division through improvements in strength and conditioning, although he recognises that there is still work to be done.

“I’ve been working on getting stronger, improving my conditioning, and getting more comfortable with the physicality of the division.

“I feel like I’m starting to find my place at -73kg, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement,” he said.

White also pointed to Johnson’s ability to learn from difficult results as an important part of his development, noting that setbacks have helped the coaching team identify areas requiring attention.

“Xavion has done an amazing job with taking each loss as a learning experience. Some losses are harder than others, but we’re able to go back to the drawing board and figure out what we did wrong and what was done right to help push us to the next level,” he said.

Johnson shared a similar outlook, explaining that his experiences throughout the year have influenced his mindset and the reasons behind his commitment to the sport.

“I’ve learned that not everything is going to go your way, and that’s just part of the sport,” he said. “The biggest thing for me has been changing my mindset and understanding why I’m doing this in the first place. Nothing has really changed about my goals, but I’ve changed the reasons I’m fighting for and what my priorities are.”

The Bahamian has also benefited from a support network that extends beyond his immediate coaching team, with White highlighting the contributions of those responsible for his physical preparation, nutrition and recovery.

“Xavion has a great team around him. Coaches, nutritionists, therapists as well as an amazing mom. His mom has done a great job with surrounding him with all the tools he needs to be successful,” White said.

Johnson was equally appreciative of the people who have helped him reach this stage, acknowledging that his progress would not have been possible without their commitment.

“I’ve been fortunate to have people around me who genuinely care about my development and want to see me succeed. Everyone plays a different role, whether it’s technical work, physical preparation, or just helping me mentally,” he said. “I’m grateful for everyone who’s been part of the journey because I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without them.”

He also expressed gratitude to his sponsor, Bahamasair, for providing support throughout his international judo journey.

In a recent social media post, Johnson publicly acknowledged the national airline for believing in him and helping support his ambitions.

“Your support means more than words can express, and I’m incredibly grateful to have you behind me,” he wrote.

Johnson’s international accomplishments have also given him an opportunity to serve as an example for younger Bahamians interested in pursuing judo.

White said the country’s developing group of young judokas look towards athletes competing internationally for inspiration, with Johnson taking pride in encouraging those coming through the programme.

“The Bahamas has a handful of young judoka who look up to the athletes that are on the circuit. You can see the pride in Xavion’s eyes when he’s talking to the ones that are coming up behind him about what it takes to get there and putting in the work to pave the way for them to go farther,” White said.

Johnson, who previously captured bronze at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games, said continuing to compete among the leading young judokas in the Americas remains an important ambition.

“I know what I’m capable of, and I want to keep proving that I can compete with the best athletes in the Americas,” he said. “I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished so far, but I’m not really focused on looking back. I just want to keep moving forward and see how far I can go.”

His immediate attention, however, is on the Junior World Championships, which is scheduled to be his next major international assignment.

White said the Florida gold has strengthened the team’s belief that Johnson can challenge the highest level of competition, and the expectation is to carry that momentum into the world championships.

“Winning this gold medal at the Pan Am Cup tells us that we can compete with the best in the world, and now we set our sights on getting a medal at the world championships,” White said.

He added that the team’s objective for the upcoming championships is to win gold, while recognising the importance of continuing to build towards the longer-term goal of Olympic qualification.

Looking further ahead, Johnson has his sights set on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, although he understands the amount of international experience and development required to reach that level.

“It’s definitely the goal. I know it’s not going to be easy, and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done between now and then,” he said. “I need to keep competing internationally, gaining experience, improving my judo, and getting results against higher-level opponents.”

White said the coaching staff intends to approach the Olympic journey with patience, stressing that Johnson is progressing well for his age but must continue to develop rather than rush the process.

“The plan for the 2028 Games is to take it slow and steady. Remember, this is a marathon and not a sprint to make the team. He is ahead of schedule for his age, but on par for our expectations,” White said. “Our expectation is to make the 2028 Games.”

The journey is also proof of what young Bahamians can accomplish when they commit themselves to a sport, even one that may not receive the same attention as some of the country’s more established disciplines.

He encouraged aspiring judokas to take the opportunity to get involved and not place limits on what they believe they can achieve.

“I’m from The Bahamas, and I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the world and compete against some of the best athletes,” he said. “It takes a lot of work and sacrifice, but if you’re willing to put in the time and stay consistent, you can accomplish a lot. Just believe in yourself and don’t limit what you think you can do.”